Masseter Muscle Stiffness After Heat Application and Percussion Therapy
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: massage gun, heat treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Healthy Participants. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Switzerland
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Effects of Heat Application and Percussion Therapy on Masseter Muscle Stiffness Measured With Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography
Overview
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in the stiffness of the masseter muscle (a jaw muscle) before and after two types of treatment: applying commercial heat pads or using a commercial massage gun. We will measure the muscle stiffness on the surface of the muscle using a special ultrasound probe, with a method called shear wave elastography. When this muscle is too stiff, it's often linked to jaw pain and problems with the jaw joint - a condition known as Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). The goal is to find better treatment options for people with TMD and to collect data using this imaging technique.
Detailed description
In our study, participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. This is important to ensure reliable results and is called randomization.
The two groups are as follows:
Group A:
First, the stiffness of the masseter muscle in the cheek is measured using ultrasound. Then, we will assess the mouth opening, the muscle's sensitivity to pressure, bite force, and chewing efficiency using several short tests. After that, the masseter muscle will be treated with a massage gun with a soft attachment for 2 minutes. All tests will be repeated after the treatment.
Group B:
First, the stiffness of the masseter muscle in the cheek is measured using ultrasound. Then, we will assess the mouth opening, the muscle's sensitivity to pressure, bite force, and chewing efficiency using several short tests. After that, the masseter muscle will be treated with a heat pad for 20 minutes. The heat pad will be held in place with a strap, and participants may sit and read or relax during the treatment. All tests will be repeated after the treatment.
Each participant will receive both treatments (massage gun and heat pad), but in a different order depending on group assignment. There will be a two-week washout phase between the two treatments to ensure that the effects of the first treatment do not influence the second.
Interventions
- Device massage gun
The massage gun used in this study will be equipped with a soft attachment designed for use on the face, ensuring safe and comfortable application to the masseter muscle. - Device heat treatment
The heat treatment will be applied for 20min.
Primary outcome measures
- Masseter muscle stiffness [Time frame: The time from the first appointment to the second (final) appointment will be two weeks.]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
- Algometry of the Masseter Muscle [Time frame: The time from the first appointment to the second (final) appointment will be two weeks.]
- mouth opening [Time frame: The time from the first appointment to the second (final) appointment will be two weeks.]
- maximum bite force [Time frame: The time from the first appointment to the second (final) appointment will be two weeks.]
- chewing efficiency [Time frame: The time from the first appointment to the second (final) appointment will be two weeks.]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Willingness to participate to the study
- Signed written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- Inability to follow procedures or insufficient knowledge of project language, inability to give consent
- a history of drug ingestion within the past week (e.g. pain relievers, muscle relaxants, botox and anti-inflammatory drugs)
- systemic diseases
- Contraindications listed on the massage-gun instruction manual systemic and related to the use on the masseter area.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Switzerland · 1 center
- Zentrum für Zahnmedizin — Zurich
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07237087 · 2025-00295